LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the second time in as many chances, the UMKC cross country team finished in second place this weekend at the Rim Rock Classic located in Lawrence, Kan.

“Great races today from both teams with both having their first 6k and 8k races of the year”, stated head coach Shameika McField. “I think they handled the competition well and ran smart.”

Going off the women’s side of the race, Senior Mia Jerman delivered another strong showing in Lawrence, finishing fourth overall in the 6K run. Jerman was then followed up by sophomore Katerine Hanners, who finished in 10th place for the 6k race. The women’s team as a whole completed the race in one hour, 51 minutes and 29 seconds, with an average pace of 22:17 minutes.

“The women ran hard and smart at Lawrence”, McFields elaborated. “Everyone had a PR and comparing times this year to last puts us in a good place heading deeper into the season.”

On to the men’s 8k race, the UMKC men’s team was led by junior runner Daylan Quinn, who finished eighth overall for the race at a staggering 24:52 minute time frame. Senior Marcus Johnson continued his strong start to the season, taking a top 20 finish for the weekend. A standout performer from Lawrence was freshman Ryan Parsons, who helped UMKC deliver a second place finish at the Rim Rock Classic by earning a 15th place for the Roos.

McField had some input on the men’s outing this weekend and how they finished the race.

“The men are so young and learning to trust themselves more will give them an idea of where we want to be for next time”, McFields stated. “There is still some work to be done but getting second will make us hungry for the next time around.”

With the completion of this weekend’s meet in Lawrence, the UMKC cross country team will head east to participate in the Ideal Rentals Pink Classic, located near Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. Both races will began on Friday, Oct. 12th.